Summary
- Niko Aris, a unique blue-aligned Human planeswalker, defied fate and gained importance in the Magic: The Gathering story.
- Born in Theros, Niko's life took a turn when they intentionally lost a contest to pursue their own path, becoming physically strong and talented.
- Niko's journey led them to Kaldheim, where they helped the Valkyries fight the Doomskar and the Cosmos Serpent, Koma, before joining forces with Kaya.
One of the newer members of Magic: The Gathering’s ever-growing cast of characters, is Niko Aris, a blue-aligned Human planeswalker who defied fate to become one of the more unique characters in the current story.
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PostsWhile they might not be as well known as other planeswalkers like the Vampire Sorin or the Dragon Ugin, Niko has slowly been building in importance since their introduction in Theros Beyond Death. Let’s take a look into this mirror-bending planeswalker and see how they got to where they are in the story now.
A Life Of Training On Theros
Temple of Enlightenment by Piotr DuraBorn in Meletis, Theros, a plane dominated by enchantments and gods who walk among the mortals of the world, Niko began life as a highly-skilled athlete, one who was exceptionally talented with the javelin. They were not content with their path in life and chose to live a life closer to the ones they heard about in stories from they were young.
Niko intentionally lost an athletic contest they were in, realizing that their future was their own, and if they wanted to do something different than what the world initially laid out, they could.
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PostsNiko was initially revealed to be only blue-aligned planeswalker but branched out to incorporate white as well when they visited Kaldheim. Unlike other blue planeswalkers, Niko is physically strong and talented, which was intentionally done to show his dedication to a single cause by dedicating their life to training, rather than being purely academic or mentally strong.
Klothys Breaks Free Of The Underworld
Niko Defies Destiny By Bastien L. DeharmeAs the events of Theros Beyond Death unfold, Klothys, the god of destiny on Theros, erupts from the Underworld while the rest of the gods wage war on each other. Klothys’ primary goal in returning to the mortal realm is to forcibly align people with their original fates, something that Niko wanted nothing to do with.
Niko became targeted specifically by Klothys, but in doing so, helped to unlock their planeswalker spark, accidentally throwing them from the plane in a wash of unknown.
From Theros To Kaldheim
Niko Aris By Winoa NelsonNiko suddenly found themselves in the realm of Bretagard on Kaldheim, a decidedly different plane than one they’re used to. Confused and disoriented, Niko was stumbled across by Fynn the Snakehunter and his fellow Kannah, a nomadic group among the snowy wilds of Kaldheim.
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PostsNiko was there on Kaldheim while the Omenpaths began to open more frequently on Kaldheim, something that heralded in a Doomskar. Wanting to help their new companions, Niko offered to travel to the realm of Starnheim, where the Valkyries lived. Though they wanted to help Niko, the Valkyries too faced an impending Doomskar. Perhaps even more threatening to the Valkyies however, was the appearance of the massive snake Koma, The Cosmos Serpent that normally lived in the space between the relative peace of Starnheim.
Not wanting to watch their home-away-from-home come to ruin, Niko rallied the troops to fight back against Koma, leading them to safety and driving the massive serpent back into the Omenpath to who knows what other realm. Turns out, that other realm is Bretagard, though Niko wasn’t content in letting the creature escape unscathed and jumped through the portal behind the massive cosmic Snake.
Now in Bretagard, Niko was determined to put a stop to Koma’s destruction. In Bretagard, Niko joined forces with the Valkyires, meeting up with another traveler from another realm, Kaya, who was there on a special mission to track down an unknown monster that turns out to be Vorinclex, a Phyrexian Preator.
The Depths Of Duskmourn
Art via Wizards of the CoastWhile we don’t have many details on the set yet, Niko has been confirmed to be in Duskmourn with Tyvar as they try to find and rescue Nashi, though just what role the planeswalker will play is yet to be revealed.
Just What Does A Mirror Mage Do?
Behold The Multiverse By Magali VilleneuveNiko is rather unique among blue planeswalkers in that they are a bit more interactive with their magic. Niko has a special brand of magic, generating shards of energy that resemble mirrors in their properties, manipulating them in several ways to suit their needs.
The mirrors Niko can summon can imprison enemies, save allies, or impaling foes with javelin-like spears of that same energy. The shards also seem to grant Niko some sort of either foresight or glimpses into other worlds, based on the art and flavor texts of some of their associated cards.
Niko is one of only a few planeswalkers to keep their spark after the events of New Phyrexia’s Invasion of the Multiverse, and seems to have joined forces with Kaya in some capacity, though exactly what they’re doing together has yet to be seen.
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